'Metal Gear Survive' release date news update: New 'Metal Gear' game to feature zombies; fans and Kojima react

A new installment to the popular game series "Metal Gear" is coming next year and it's going to feature zombies. But the idea does not seem to sit very well with longtime fans of the game, as well as series creator, Hideo Kojima.

"Metal Gear Survive" was first announced at Gamescom 2016 in August. It came with a trailer that showed the basic premise of the supplemental spin-off. It takes place during the "Metal Gear Solid V" timeline, filling in the gap between "Ground Zeroes" and "The Phantom Pain."

Since Konami's announcement, "Metal Gear" fans have been anxious to know what Hideo Kojima, the original creator of the game, thought of the upcoming installment since it would be the first one to be released following his departure from Konami last year. The plot itself seemed to be a complete departure from Kojima's visions for the series.

According to IGN, Kojima made a remark about the game during the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2016 held over the weekend. At the presentation for his newest game, "Death Stranding," he was asked if he had anything at all to do with "Metal Gear Survive," to which he replied, "That's nothing to do with me!"

He went on to add that "Metal Gear" has always been an espionage game with political elements and that he did not think that zombies could naturally fit into those themes. Yoji Shinkawa, who used to create character and mechanical designs for the "Metal Gear" games, denied associations with "Metal Gear Survive" in a more humorous way, stating that if he had been involved with the game, he would have put mechs into it.

Meanwhile, Kotaku reported that the 15-minute game demo Konami unveiled during the TGS 2016 is not doing well with fans online. The clip posted on YouTube has been racking up more dislikes than likes, and the ratio does not look very promising. While there are some people who would willingly give the game the benefit of a doubt, a larger number of "Metal Gear" fans remain skeptical.

"Metal Gear Survive" picks up after the events of "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes." Following the evacuation of a comatose, Big Boss, the Mother Base and all of its remaining soldiers are sucked into wormholes and transported to an alternate universe overrun by zombie-like creatures.

The game can be played by up to four players with an option to go solo. Konami Europe president Tomotada Tashiro teased during the Gamescom 2016 announcement that it would feature a unique take on "Metal Gear's" signature stealth mechanics.

"Metal Gear Survive" is expected to be released in 2017.